Today marks a threshold of silence.
Today is the 104th Wednesday since she unwitingly left us at 11:43 pm.
This coming Saturday, February 21st, marks the official two-year anniversary.
In the eyes of the law, this date is a ticking clock,,, the "statute of limitations." Once the sun sets this Saturday, the window for legal action against the facility in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, slams shut forever.
I am writing this because I am consumed by righteous, burning anger. I am angry because our judicial system does not provide equal justice to patients with substance use disorder. This is a story of medical abandonment, systemic bias, and a life of vibrant dreams that was extinguished in a single day.
The Death of a Dream
In her personal life, she dreamt of finding "Mr. Right," raising a family of four children, and touring the world. She had a creative spark, planning to run a jewelry and candle-making business on the side just for fun. She told me the day she entered that detox that she wanted to "fly like a butterfly." All she needed was to get her medical situation behind her.
She entrusted her life to a detox facility in Willow Grove, Pa.
She went there for help, for a path to that future.
She entrusted her health and her future to them.
Instead, they did what they did.
The Day the Clock Ran Out
Two years ago, on February 21st, she was in the middle of acute withdrawal and profound mental anguish. She was accused of possessing drugs she did not have. Instead of care, she was met with suspicion. Instead of stabilization, she was met with a curb.
She was discharged early that day. By 11:43 p.m. that same night, the ambulance crew was pronouncing her deceased. In less than 24 hours, a future NICU nurse, a future mother, and a beloved daughter was gone.
Because she was in the throes of a medical crisis, she was not of sound mind. Any "Against Medical Advice" paperwork she may have been forced to sign was signed under extreme duress. Yet, the facility used those papers as a shield to walk away from their duty of care.
The Legal Immunity of Stigma
As I have sought justice, I have been met with the cold reality of our legal system. I have heard the quotes that define this injustice:
"These individuals are seen as committing illegal acts, and not as patients dealing with a disease."
And from an attorney:
"I do not get involved in medical malpractice cases involving substance use disorder patients because juries very rarely, if ever, side with the plaintiff."
This is the "Get Out of Jail Free" card for negligent facilities. Because of the stigma surrounding addiction, the law treats these patients as second-class citizens. If a heart patient were kicked to the curb during a crisis and died hours later, it would be a national scandal. When it happens to a patient in detox, it is treated as a statistic.
The Demand for Change
The fact that the statute of limitations is expiring this Saturday without accountability is a moral rot. It proves that our system protects corporations over people.
Legislative changes must happen. Proposals have already been submitted to state representatives to ensure that "administrative discharge" can no longer be used as a death sentence. We need laws that recognize patient abandonment as a crime. We need to strip away the functional immunity that allows facilities to provide care devoid of dignity, honor, or love.
She wanted to fly. Instead, the system clipped her wings and left her on the pavement. We cannot bring her back, but we can demand a system where the next person seeking help actually finds it.
This must change. It absolutely must change.
Stay tuned...
No comments:
Post a Comment